I voted in church, as long as I've voted in Buckhead, it's in a church

[billbuckhead]

I resent voting in a church. The last election in 2002, I went to the church up the street where I usually vote and it was now a kindergarden. So I called my neighbor and he said the polling place was now at a different church a couple miles away, so I went there. At the station after a couple minutes of research by the poll workers, they said I had to vote at another church a half a block away on the otherside of the street. Why must I always have to vote in church?

[Dookus]

1. I usually vote in a church, too

There just seem to be more churches around than schools or other public buildings.

[Qanisqineq]

2. the last time I voted

I had to vote in a church too. The time before that, a nursing home. Now THAT was weird.

[liberalitch]

3. Strange experience....

I vote in a church too.
St. Andrews Episcopal on Princess Anne Rd. Norfolk, Va.
It's cool though.... never had ANY weirdness.

[adadem]

4. I agree

Same here, voting takes place in a church and it makes me uncomfortable. I'm Christian but I still don't like it. Polling places should be in public buildings not churches.

[ma4t]

19. not a big deal

I grew up in the South and in the rural parts there are no public buildings unless you want to travel quite a distance. Even the kids have to ride buses for 10-12 miles to the nearest school. Quite often the only place that could accomodate a polling place will be a church or perhaps a store. Frankly, I wouldn't want my church to be used as a polling place but I wouldn't see anything sinister if it were.

[Az]

5. Its a bit intimidating for some

Oppression. Your soaking in it.

[meegbear]

6. I vote in a synagogue

It's all the same to me.

[lutherj]

7. Voting used to take place in schools but security concerns

and the hassle of parking and traffic has caused most schools to stop this practice. I agree, I don't like voting in churches. Voting should be done on a Saturday, to avoid all this.

[Lab Owner]

8. Big deal

So you vote in a church. So what? Are you being forced to pray before you vote? Is someone handing you religious literature? A church is just a building, if you don't believe in that particular religion.

[Az]

10. Big deal

Jews for 1000s of years have lived under the oppressive heal of various sects of the Christian Church. Big deal.

Countless scientists were excommunicated and burnt at the stake for heracy. Big deal.

Our society is torn along the lines drawn between religious fundimentalists and those that espouse tolerance. Big deal.

Christian fundimentalists are trying to take away our rights and place their dogmatic claims in our constitution. Big deal.

To some it is a big deal.

[terryg11]

21. good grief

jews were enslaved for years by the Egyptians until Moses led them out.
christians were persecuted for hundreds of years by Rome and other governments for their beliefs
countless christians read and believe the writings of many scientists labeled as heretics in the past.

our society is torn along numerous lines tht have nothing to do with religion such as the environment, gun control,jobs,welfare,education, the deficit

there are thousands of christians (possibly even millions) who are out there fighting and voting for those same rights that you correctly state that othr christians are trying to take away

there are countless christian organizations that are working to better the environment and the state of the poor without demanding anything more but the opportunity to help

You have a right to be wary of religion and it's justified by history and the present day but I don't know if I would accuse christians of trying to impose anything on others just because they offer up their buildings for nonpartisan voting.

[Az]

25. Do not assume

I place all Christians in the same category with the ones trying to take our rights away. I am well aware that there are many on the wall defending the seperation clause with us. But the facts are what they are. There are Christian organizations seeking to rewrite our constitution right now. Yes Christians have been persecuted. But that does not really matter to those who are in turn persecuted by the Christians.

Imagine the uproar if the voting booths were placed in a PETA building. How about a NRA sponsored site. Perhaps a Doctors without Borders location.

There are institutions that are too closely tied to the issues before the voting public. They carry influence on voters. Some may even intimidate voters. Its probably a good idea to distance the polling location from any such institution that may carry such ideological impact on voters.

[pnb]

26. Huh?

You think voting locations should be changed to accomodate those few people who are so weak that the building they vote in might affect their vote?

[Az]

28. Let me think about that

Should we hold elections in locations free from influence of organizations that use social pressure to push their agendas?

.
.
.
.
.
.
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I am gonna have to go with yes on this one.

[pnb]

48. Where's the influence?

Just being in the church itself? I can't even fathom a person having their vote influenced by anything like that. And those who are, well so be it. You may as well move locations based on the fact that a few people may not like the color of the building...

[terryg11]

27. problem is, their not allowed to intimidate voters when voting

when a site is being used for voting, it's manned by volunteers who know full and well the rules. If anyone was to show up and start stumping or campaigning and this would include posters or literature then they would be removed, mst likely by law enforcement.

On that same note can we find a building anywhere that's not somehow directly affected by the voting process? ANy public buildings could be used to intimidate people to vote for the issue candidte that best represents their funding (librairies, schools, municipal buildings)

[Az]

29. Most buldings design

Are not along the same intentially awe inspiring designs of Churches. They tend to be imposing structures on their own. Sorry, but the building itself carries its history and ideas. They still constitute a degree of pressure on those that would vote their mind.

[stopthegop]

30. I have agree with the post above..

if the building influences a person's vote they may be to weak(in multiple ways) to vote...would voting in a school influence people to support a raise for teachers?

[terryg11]

31. but the building itself carries its history and ideas.

the building carries it's own history and ideas or that of the church it represents?
If it's the latter then does that mean that any group or building that has a checkered past should be constantly reminded of it's past actions and words, regardless of how long ago that was?

[Az]

34. Neutrality should be the goal

This may not always be possible. But an eye for these issues should be maintained. Sometimes a church may be the best viable site. But one must be sensitive to the issues that come with the location. This is true of any issue, not just religion. Its probably not a good idea to hold an election with a vote on a gun issue at a shooting range.

[terryg11]

38. neutrality should be the goal, I agree

but in this day and age good luck. Even with such a large prtion of the electorate horribly uninformed many still go to the polls with some sort of preformed disposition whether right or wrong.

I will say this, in all the towns I've visited (many small rural Iowa twns) if a voting event was held at a church, they respected the spirit of the day and kept a low profile if any at all

[Az]

42. Unfortunately people will bring their own problems

to the church. I agree that they do typically show a great sense of the moment and reduce their presense. But even in the best of cases there are still going to be some that have issues with going to a church. Its too tied into our social web.

Elections are going to be held at churchs. But it should be avoided if possible. Unfortunately there are some that are in charge of such matters that do not even give it a moments consideration. This is the nature of pervasive bias.

[terryg11]

44. I don't know if it's pervasive bias

wouldn't doubt that there are some out there who would (vor whatever reason) prefer voting to tke place in a church. But in some cases and I believe this was mentionned earlier in this thread that sometimes it's the best site for voting whether it be logistics or location, facilities you name it. This is usually the case in smll towns I'm sure.

[Az]

47. I would just like to hope

that the Church location is the standbye they go with in case they cannot find a more suitible location. Unfortunately I suspect that there are going to be individuals that do not see any problems with holding the elections there.

[Book Lover]

39. A church is more than just a building

That cross at the top kinda tells me that the owners are giving their imprimatur to what's going on inside. The moment I step inside, in a real sense, I am being handed religious "literature".

[supernova]

9. I vote in the "fellowship hall"

as they usually call it around here. Separate building built for social events, not the sanctuary.

When I was little my elementary school was also a polling place, still is I reckon. Sometimes adults would stay for lunch with us. :D I thought it was cool.

[Gulf Coast J]

17. I used to get excited when it was election day at my elementary school

All the grown ups around making grown up choices. I thought it was cool too. :)

[blm]

11. It's the parking lots, bill.

.

[pnb]

12. Because its cheap and easy

Its just a building...what's the difference?

[flaminbats]

13. let me guess...Peachtree Christain Church, with the stain glass windows?

I went there as a child...

[nickinSTL]

15. voting in a church

'So you vote in a church. So what? Are you being forced to pray before you vote? Is someone handing you religious literature? A church is just a building, if you don't believe in that particular religion...'

True that it should be just a building, but it feels to me like a subtle nudge on the part of the government to tell me that Christianity is the accepted religion.

Despite my discomfort, I will NEVER let it stop me from voting, though. They won't silence this liberal pagan that easily!

I used to vote in the VFW before they changed it to a church.

And for a while when I lived in a different area, I voted in the lobby of an apartment building.

[flaminbats]

18. Are you asking me?

I'm proud to see the church I grew up in be a community center for Midtown!

[Az]

32. Churches and communitees

Are often entwined and supportive of each other. A Church can be the very hub and center of a very positive communitee. There is nothing to suggest that they do not belong there. However imagine the pressure such an ediface imposes on those who may not feel as much a part of the communitee. It has an effect. Small towns may gladdly form around their churches but they also end up ostrasizing those that do not share the beliefs of the church itself. Thus they become centers of exclusion for those not part of their belief.

It is by no means intentional on the part of the congregation. They simply associate with those that they meet and grow to know through the church. They form strong bonds with each other and become an extended family. But it is this strength which becomes oppressive to those that are not part of their fold. Particularly in small communitees those who are not part of the church can become pariah. To compound the matter by holding the elections in the source of their oppression? Its a bit problematic.

It is best to keep the polling locations as neutral as possible. Churches come with far too much baggage.

[flaminbats]

41. I'm not arguing with your logic...

but anyone who knows midtown will tell you that this particular church probably has the biggest parking lot available. Ample parking is very hard to find that far into the city! It is also near the hub of transportation where many of Atlanta's major highways and streets meet.

If you want high voter turnout, there isn't a better location in midtown.

[maveric]

14. I've been a voter in San Diego for 24 years and its always been

in a church. Never a catholic church though. Are catholic churches ever used as polling places?

[flaminbats]

Churches, synagogues, colleges, schools....

all of these places are great if at a central location. But why not try something new..holding elections at Walmarts, Kroger's, MacDonald's, Home Depots, or Malls?

Can't we make voting convenient to working families while increasing turnout?

Isn't it time for these huge chains and malls to contribute something useful to the community for a change?

[Book Lover]

43. Mine was

St Nicholas of Tolentine in Queens.

[Bridget Burke]

16. Volunteer as a poll worker, take part in the process....

or at least speak up.

Help them find another location for voting. Is there another suitable public place in the precinct?

[Joanne98]

20. I voted in a bar

They moved it from the machinists hall.

[Bandit]

22. Oregonians vote from the comfort of their homes and they have the

largest turnout of any state.

[MissB]

33. Not to mention that we get our ballot well before election day

So that we can take our own sweet time and ponder our vote before casting it.

I love vote-by-mail.

[spinbaby]

23. I vote at the fire hall

They always have a fish fry on election day--extra motivation to get out and vote. I have a friend who votes at a church that sells homemade pirogies on election day--double extra motivation to get out and vote. One of the polling places in our town is at a gas station. I don't think I'd be crazy about voting at a gas station, but whatever works.

[stopthegop]

24. it's because many times churches are convenient,..

and free...and during the day on a Tuesday the church's operation is not disrupted anything like as much as some other facilities might be...that's all...there's no hidden message...

[flaminbats]

35. many members of Churches don't feel comfortable about others voting there

one individual came up to me recently and asked if "they"..being those working out the voting locations, "had ever heard of separation of church and state!"

But if churches are willing to have operations altered for elections, why not make businesses do this as well..especially shopping centers where there is likely to be a higher turnout in most places?

[stopthegop]

36. well..it's voluntary...

up to the individual church...

[Az]

37. Personally I think we should change the day

Voting on a tuesday? Might have been a valid function once but now it costs us too many votes.

As to hidden messages. No suggestion of a hidden message. Just the effects of the location on the voting public. Its pretty hard to squelch the message of a massive granite structure with crucifix bas relief carvings strewn all over the place.

[supernova]

40. Weekend or Holiday

Personally I think we ought to move Election day to the weekend or make Election day a national holiday.

I'm sure turnout would improve.

[JasonBerry]

46. Agree with that!

Saturday voting would improve turnout immensely.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

45. I've never heard of church-based voting

taking place in the sanctuary with the cross and altar. In fact, I can't imagine a clergy person wanting that to happen. In my experience, it's always been in the social hall.

I mean, really, if that you're that spooked by entering a part of a church building that's used mostly to serve coffee, who are you, Damien?

[RebelOne]

49. I'm in the Atlanta area, too.

But I voted at Cherokee County High School.

[billbuckhead]

50. I work in Cherokee, I hope there's more Dems there than I think

That sure seems to be a Republican area.